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Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Synaxis of Panagia Trikoukiotissa

The Church of Panagia Trikoukiotissa is all that remains of this monastery built in the 13th century. The church contains an icon of the Virgin which is credited with the ability to bring rain to parched fields.

It is situated two kilometers from Prodromos towards Platres in a marvelous natural environment with a spectacular view.

Externally the church is made of stone; the roof is of wood construction and covered by tiles. Architectonically the internal of the church is ‘trikliti’. The monastery which is constituted by five old cells which are on the right side of the church are saved until today and take in seven nuns and two other novices. Another transept has been built and completed with fifteen more cells. The Monastery of Trikoukias is under the protection and support of the Archdiocese of Cyprus.

It is said that the name comes from Trikoukies (medlar trees that had three kernels). Another version says that is from the tree Kokkonia according to which the closest monastery of Kykkos was named by that too. Another tradition mentions that the monastery was supported during Turkish domination with the one third (trikoutsi) of the taxation of the Kouklia manors.

Its history, the same with the other monasteries, is not known although most of the historians locate its foundation in the Byzantine years. The monastery had met glorious days especially in the years of Frankish domination while the Panagia Trikoukiotissa was considered to be miraculous, and her original icon was considered to be a work of the Apostle Luke. The reputation of the monastery and its icon started to be limited when the fame of the Panagia of Kykkos increased. The Turks of Ottoman times respected the monastery and did not destroy it, just because of it’s great reputation.

In 1761 the monastery was renovated and kept functioning until the end of the 18th century when it was run down. It was revived again as a female coenobium in September of 1997.

The Panagia of Trikoukias is celebrated in the area on Tuesday of Renewal Week as well as on the 15th August when her icon is carried in litany.